IPCR DG Links Nigeria's Insecurity to Economy and Unemployment

Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), attributed Nigeria's increasing insecurity to a fragile economy and a rise in youth unemployment. During a visit to the Media Trust Group headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, he warned that many young people are being drawn into banditry and criminal activities due to a lack of meaningful engagement.

Ochogwu noted that the country's declining productive capacity has left a significant number of youths without jobs, which has shifted their focus from legitimate agricultural activities to illicit ventures such as illegal mining and banditry. He emphasized that economic challenges are central to Nigeria's conflict situation and that peace cannot be achieved without revitalizing productive sectors to create jobs.

Ochogwu urged the government to adopt non-kinetic strategies to address security challenges, warning that insecurity will deepen if urgent steps are not taken to integrate unemployed youth into productive sectors. He also pointed out the weaknesses in local government structures as a key factor driving insecurity.